21 year old faces blindness despite perfect vision. She has to tape her eyes open just to see
21-year-old has perfect eyesight but lives functionally blind due to rare condition. (Image used for representative purpose only. Pic courtesy- istock)
At just 21, Tia-Leigh Streamer faces a daily struggle many can't imagine: she has to physically tape her eyelids open to see the world around her. What began as a minor eye issue two years ago has now become a life-altering condition that doctors call blepharospasm—a rare neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable eyelid twitching and, in severe cases like Tia-Leigh's, leads to complete and sustained eye closure.
In an interview with The Sun, she shared that though her eyesight is perfectly healthy, the condition leaves her effectively blind. Classified as "functional blindness," it means her eyes work, but she can't use them because her eyelids won't stay open. Tia-Leigh's diagnosis didn't come quickly. After initially waking up with a droopy eyelid, she assumed it was hay fever. It wasn't until months later, when she awoke unable to open either eye, that she finally received clarity on what was happening.
Now, she relies on regular Botox injections to weaken the muscles responsible for closing her eyes. These injections are given every 8 to 10 weeks, but their effect only lasts a few weeks at best. In between treatments, she must either physically hold her eyelids open or use tape and glue—methods that come with their own set of complications, like bruising and long-term eye damage.The impact on her daily life has been profound. Once training to become an accountant, she had to give up her career due to the constant screen work required, which she can no longer manage. She rarely leaves the house alone and needs help with even basic tasks, such as preparing food or cutting it during meals. Former hobbies like crocheting have also become impossible, as one hand is always needed to keep her eyelid open.Despite the physical and emotional toll, Tia-Leigh recently celebrated a joyful milestone—her wedding. She carefully timed her Botox injections so she could have her eyes open on her special day. Looking ahead, she hopes to become a mother one day but admits the thought is daunting. Her condition worsens at night, leaving her unable to open her eyes at all, leading to anxiety about how she'll manage future responsibilities.Her doctors are now exploring new ways to improve the effects of the Botox, adjusting dosage and injection locations in hopes of achieving longer-lasting relief.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Can you eat pasta and still lose weight? Experts say yes, if you follow this one surprising rule
Experts reveal that cold carbs might be the key to guilt-free indulgence. Allowing pasta or rice to cool before eating turns its starch into a resistant form, which aids digestion, curbs hunger, and promotes weight loss. Endorsed by athletes and backed by science, this method even retains its benefits after reheating—making pasta salads a smart, slimming choice. A new food science hack suggests that cooling cooked carbs like pasta, rice, and potatoes before eating them transforms their starches, creating 'resistant starch' that acts like fiber. This slows digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and supports weight loss. (Representational image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Pasta Salads Over Penne Hot Plates Also Read: How an extremely busy man lost nearly half his body fat in 3 months without strict diet or long gym sessions Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Experts claim even reheated cooled carbs retain these benefits, making pasta and noodles surprisingly diet-friendly when prepared right. (Representational image: iStock) Backed by Science, Loved by Nutritionists Chew Slowly, Stay Slim In a world where carbohydrates have long been villainized by diet trends, an intriguing twist is now warming (or rather, cooling) the hearts of pasta lovers. Experts are now saying that you don't have to banish noodles, rice, or potatoes from your plate to stay in shape. In fact, a surprising tweak in preparation—cooling them after cooking—could be the secret to guilt-free to a report from the Daily Mail, Fitness coach Kevin David Rail from claims that this simple habit can make a world of difference. 'When you cook and then cool carbs like pasta and rice, the starch molecules undergo a transformation. They form what's known as 'resistant starch'—a special type of carbohydrate that behaves more like fiber,' he explains. Unlike regular starch, resistant starch digests slowly, helping to stabilize blood sugar and keep you full for what does this mean for your diet? It means that chilled pasta salads, rice bowls, and even reheated leftovers might be better for your waistline than freshly boiled alternatives. Elite athletes, according to Rail, have been in on this secret for years—fueling their performance and recovery with cold carbs rather than skipping them altogether.'Footballers don't just think about what they eat, but how it's prepared,' says Rail. 'They know that cold carbs can offer sustained energy, better digestion, and even weight control.'Even when reheated, these once-cooled carbs retain their resistant starch structure, offering the same benefits as eating them cold. It's a hack that not only supports metabolism but also enhances gut health, keeps energy levels stable, and helps prevent the dreaded sugar claim isn't just gym-floor folklore. Dr. Chris van Tulleken, doctor and author of Ultra-Processed People, highlights how resistant starch offers a crucial metabolic advantage. Regular starch found in white bread or pasta, he explains, breaks down into sugar at lightning speed—comparable to drinking a sugary beverage. 'If that sugar isn't burned off, it's stored as fat,' he resistant starch takes a different route. Instead of being rapidly absorbed in the small intestine, it reaches the large intestine, where it is slowly digested by gut bacteria. This process not only keeps you feeling full but also creates short-chain fatty acids—compounds that have been linked to reduced heart disease risk and lower blood another fascinating twist, 2023 research revealed that al dente pasta—the kind with a bit of bite—is also beneficial. It slows down eating speed by 45 percent compared to softer, overcooked versions, giving your body more time to register fullness and avoid if you've been avoiding carbs in your weight-loss journey, it might be time to think again. With a little cooling, a touch of science, and a dash of patience, pasta and noodles may no longer be your dietary enemy. In fact, they could become your unexpected allies.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
Can you eat pasta and still lose weight? Experts say yes, if you follow this one surprising rule
iStock A new food science hack suggests that cooling cooked carbs like pasta, rice, and potatoes before eating them transforms their starches, creating 'resistant starch' that acts like fiber. This slows digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and supports weight loss. (Representational image: iStock) In a world where carbohydrates have long been villainized by diet trends, an intriguing twist is now warming (or rather, cooling) the hearts of pasta lovers. Experts are now saying that you don't have to banish noodles, rice, or potatoes from your plate to stay in shape. In fact, a surprising tweak in preparation—cooling them after cooking—could be the secret to guilt-free indulgence. According to a report from the Daily Mail , Fitness coach Kevin David Rail from claims that this simple habit can make a world of difference. 'When you cook and then cool carbs like pasta and rice, the starch molecules undergo a transformation. They form what's known as 'resistant starch'—a special type of carbohydrate that behaves more like fiber,' he explains. Unlike regular starch, resistant starch digests slowly, helping to stabilize blood sugar and keep you full for longer. So, what does this mean for your diet? It means that chilled pasta salads, rice bowls, and even reheated leftovers might be better for your waistline than freshly boiled alternatives. Elite athletes, according to Rail, have been in on this secret for years—fueling their performance and recovery with cold carbs rather than skipping them altogether. 'Footballers don't just think about what they eat, but how it's prepared,' says Rail. 'They know that cold carbs can offer sustained energy, better digestion, and even weight control.' Even when reheated, these once-cooled carbs retain their resistant starch structure, offering the same benefits as eating them cold. It's a hack that not only supports metabolism but also enhances gut health, keeps energy levels stable, and helps prevent the dreaded sugar crash. The claim isn't just gym-floor folklore. Dr. Chris van Tulleken, doctor and author of Ultra-Processed People , highlights how resistant starch offers a crucial metabolic advantage. Regular starch found in white bread or pasta, he explains, breaks down into sugar at lightning speed—comparable to drinking a sugary beverage. 'If that sugar isn't burned off, it's stored as fat,' he warns. But resistant starch takes a different route. Instead of being rapidly absorbed in the small intestine, it reaches the large intestine, where it is slowly digested by gut bacteria. This process not only keeps you feeling full but also creates short-chain fatty acids—compounds that have been linked to reduced heart disease risk and lower blood pressure. In another fascinating twist, 2023 research revealed that al dente pasta—the kind with a bit of bite—is also beneficial. It slows down eating speed by 45 percent compared to softer, overcooked versions, giving your body more time to register fullness and avoid overeating. So, if you've been avoiding carbs in your weight-loss journey, it might be time to think again. With a little cooling, a touch of science, and a dash of patience, pasta and noodles may no longer be your dietary enemy. In fact, they could become your unexpected allies.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
21 year old faces blindness despite perfect vision. She has to tape her eyes open just to see
21-year-old has perfect eyesight but lives functionally blind due to rare condition. (Image used for representative purpose only. Pic courtesy- istock) At just 21, Tia-Leigh Streamer faces a daily struggle many can't imagine: she has to physically tape her eyelids open to see the world around her. What began as a minor eye issue two years ago has now become a life-altering condition that doctors call blepharospasm—a rare neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable eyelid twitching and, in severe cases like Tia-Leigh's, leads to complete and sustained eye closure. In an interview with The Sun, she shared that though her eyesight is perfectly healthy, the condition leaves her effectively blind. Classified as "functional blindness," it means her eyes work, but she can't use them because her eyelids won't stay open. Tia-Leigh's diagnosis didn't come quickly. After initially waking up with a droopy eyelid, she assumed it was hay fever. It wasn't until months later, when she awoke unable to open either eye, that she finally received clarity on what was happening. Now, she relies on regular Botox injections to weaken the muscles responsible for closing her eyes. These injections are given every 8 to 10 weeks, but their effect only lasts a few weeks at best. In between treatments, she must either physically hold her eyelids open or use tape and glue—methods that come with their own set of complications, like bruising and long-term eye impact on her daily life has been profound. Once training to become an accountant, she had to give up her career due to the constant screen work required, which she can no longer manage. She rarely leaves the house alone and needs help with even basic tasks, such as preparing food or cutting it during meals. Former hobbies like crocheting have also become impossible, as one hand is always needed to keep her eyelid the physical and emotional toll, Tia-Leigh recently celebrated a joyful milestone—her wedding. She carefully timed her Botox injections so she could have her eyes open on her special day. Looking ahead, she hopes to become a mother one day but admits the thought is daunting. Her condition worsens at night, leaving her unable to open her eyes at all, leading to anxiety about how she'll manage future doctors are now exploring new ways to improve the effects of the Botox, adjusting dosage and injection locations in hopes of achieving longer-lasting relief.
